Skincare

Origins Mega Mushroom Skin Saviours

- Vicki 6 Comments
Mega Mushroom Skincare

Origins Mega Mushroom Skincare

The Mega Mushroom range from Origins has been a favourite of mine for a couple of years. For the simple fact it’s hydrating, great for soothing redness and combating the effects of winter on the skin. I always turn to this range as the temperature drops, and this duo have been my skin saviours for the past few months.

The Mega Mushroom Collection has undergone some changes & is back with an even better formula

‘The Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Collection is developed to target irritation and boost cellular energy. These newly added and naturally-derived “miracle worker” ingredients include the powerhouse Sea Buckthorn Berry and the trio of mushrooms, Chaga, Resihi and Cordyceps. Which help promote skin’s resilience, evenness and an overall healthy appearance.’

Mega Mushroom Skin Relief Advanced Face Serum*

This serum was a new addition to the Mega Mushroom line this Summer & it’s been a welcomed addition to my skincare routine.

This serum looks quite thick when you first apply it, but once you start to massage it in, it feels cool and light on the skin. It absorbs easily and quickly without leaving a greasy residue, and even leaves my skin looking slightly matte. This has that strong botanical Mega Mushroom scent, which I know is not to everyone’s liking, but the scent doesn’t linger too long on the skin.

This serum has also been developed to help protect skin from internal and external aggressors that can lead to increased sensitivity, irritation and premature signs of ageing.

I like how smooth and hydrating this serum makes my skin feel, and it sits so well under my moisturiser. I can really see a positive difference in my skin when I use it for a couple of weeks. It’s packed full of the following skin benefits,

‘This potent serum is fortified with omega-rich Sea Buckthorn plus skin-repairing Reishi, irritant-soothing Chaga and Cordyceps mushrooms – long used in Chinese medicine to heal, promote longevity and improve health. Used faithfully, skin is transformed from reactive to resilient and from stressed to soothed to reveal a healthier, more radiant appearance.’

Mega Mushroom Skin Relief Soothing Face*

This like the Serum also includes the new cocktail of ingredients which quiet and calm our skin to protect skin’s barrier. I find this face cream to be such an intense hydrating cream. It’s very calming, and it helps reduce breakouts too.

The smallest amount warmed up between your fingers would be enough to moisturise my whole face. It is targeted at people who suffer from redness and the first signs of ageing, and that is me to a T.  This is not specifically a night cream, but it feels so nice used as a night cream, I apply a thick layer of it on top of my serum and let it work its magic (well it’s not magic but science). I feel my skin looks better for using it overnight, I wake up to smooth, hydrated and radiant skin. I love it so much.

The Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Collection is made up of 7 products, all designed to strengthen and soothe sensitive skin. It’s a range I love and always go back too. I haven’t tried the whole range, but I hope to try the Eye Serum & Cleanser this year.

Let me know if this is a range you’ve tried and how you got on with it.

Products that are marked with a * have either been sent to me for my consideration or I’ve received at events. I’m under no obligation to review them on my blog. However, if I do, the reviews are 100% my own.

December 2014 Empties

- Vicki 7 Comments

December 2014 Empties

MONU Collagen Cream

This moisturiser took me so long to use up. It’s quite a thick moisturiser so I do like to save it for those days when my skin is feeling dehydrated but I don’t like to wear this under makeup as I find it a little too greasy & heavy. So I use this moisturiser on those days I’m going base free or just relaxing in the house & it makes my skin feel smooth. This cream over time helps reduce the appearance of fine lines & I always need help on that front. So if you need a moisturiser for dry skin this is a great one and it feels like it gives your skin a really intensive boost of hydration & this tube lasted me a whole year.

Roger & Gallet Gingembre Rouge*

This was a pleasure to use & I loved that its a mix of zesty, spicy and floral in equal measures. The ginger adds a twist but isn’t overpowering and the scent is beautiful from the moment you spray it on to the skin. This mini bottle was so sweet too & I saved it for a few weekend breaks I had as it was the perfect size for travel. I would recommend trying a Roger & Gallet perfume, they have such a wide range of scents so something for everyone.

Clarins One Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser

This is a gentle exfoliating cleanser which leaves your skin feeling ultra clean and glowing. It’s great at removing the dead skin cells and combating a dull complexion. It gives you a glowing complexion. This cleanser contains; Orange extract which softens, refreshes and revives. Moringa Seed extract purifies and refines while preserving your skin’s natural moisture level. Gentle Silica Microbeads tackle clogged pores. It also smells lovely & fruity too, always a bonus. Its not an abrasive exfoliator but I wouldn’t recommend using this daily, I think a couple of times a week is enough. Just to keep your skin looking bright and smooth.

No7 Lash & Brow Perfector

This was great at keeping my brows in place. I have unruly brows & this tamed them without leaving them crispy or looking white. This is a great purchase if you have a N07 Voucher, (thats when I stock up). Simple, but it does a good job.

Aesop Parsley Seed Anti Oxidant Serum

I have enjoyed using this so much. This is more tacky and thick than most serums but that only lasts a minute or two before it sinks in and leaves my skin feeling nourished and smooth. This serum is very hydrating and bursting with antioxidants, some people are able to use this not only as a serum but as their moisturiser as it is quite thick and provides a lot of hydration. It is Aloe Vera based and has a great range of botanical extracts which are perfect for sensitive skin and skin that’s in need of nourishment. This serum doesn’t sit on top of the skin it is absorbed so fast and feels amazing. I think I’m its number 1 fan and I find this serum really balances my skin and helps keep my excess oil at bay. The packaging of the Aesop products is always so nice too. I am a big fan of their skincare. This is my second bottle of this and I will be repurchasing a third.

Not too many empties this month but I have used up some lovely products & all of them I would repurchase which is a first. Have you used any of the products I have mentioned?

Pretty In Pink Skincare Products

- Vicki 6 Comments
pretty in pink products

Pretty In Pink Products

The Body Shop Vitamin E Face Mist

This is so refreshing and if you like rose scented products then you will love this. I like to spritz it on to my skin before applying makeup, it feels cooling and hydrating. Also, I often like to spritz it on top of my makeup to freshen it up, especially if I have applied powder & it’s a nice pick me up throughout the day. It’s perfect for keeping your skin protected and hydrated in the winter. I like that the product lightly mists your face & doesn’t soak you. A bottle lasts me a good couple of months. A winter staple for me, for sure.

EOS Hand Cream in Berry Blossom

This is a nice hydrating hand cream it contains shea butter and aloe so will keep your hands very smooth and soft. It’s great to have on your desk to keep your hands soft and smooth throughout the day. The scent isn’t too floral & is slightly sweet too. I love the unusual packaging, its fun & slim so great for your handbag & travel. It’s quite overpriced in the UK but if you’re lucky enough to visit America make sure you try a couple.

Jurlique Rose Love Balm*

This is a natural salve that moisturises, softens and protects dry or chapped skin. Infused with the natural scent of roses. It’s always in my handbag because as the weather gets colder & we start to use the central heating more my lips start to get very dry. This balm is a great product for combating the dryness, its hydrating but not greasy & has that lovely natural rose scent. I love it.

Products that are marked with an * have either been sent to me for my consideration or I’ve received at events. I’m under no obligation to review them on my blog. However if I do, the reviews are 100% my own.

Roger & Gallet Fleur d’Osmanthus

- Vicki 1 Comment
Roger gallet perfume set

Roger & Gallet Gift Set Roger & Gallet

Roger & Gallet are a French Perfumery House founded in 1862 by merchant Charles Armand Roger and banker Charles Matial Gallet, their products have such a rich history & they are famous for their perfumes and body products. I have been testing their beautiful Fleur d’Osmanthus* Gift Set.  It comes beautifully packaged in a stunning green box, its so pretty I will be keeping it to store beauty bits in.

This Fleur d’Osmanthus range is inspired by a Chinese Garden of Eden and is named after the beautiful Chinese flower,

The shy Osmanthus plants grows in the foothills of the Guilin Valley in China, whose fertile land gently coaxes the flower to bloom over a period of two years, eventually producing tiny clusters of apricot-coloured flowers that scent the air. These tiny buds are renowned for their stress-reducing and uplifting effect, cementing their place as a prized bloom.

I find this range has such a fresh floral scent when first used but I find it settles down to be more citrus and fruity once on your skin. It has a varied selection of notes including a few of my favourites which are Sandalwood and Tonka Bean.

Top note of Mandarin Essential Oil and Orange Zest

Heart notes of Osmanthus, Neroli and Grapefruit Essential Oil

Base notes of Sandalwood, Tonka Bean and Benzoin Essential Oil

This Fleur d’Osmanthus* gift set includes:
– Roger & Gallet Fleur d’Osmanthus Eau Fraîche Fragrance 100ml
– Roger & Gallet Fleur d’Osmanthus Sorbet Body Lotion 50ml
– Roger & Gallet Fleur d’Osmanthus Shower Gel 50ml

The perfume is beautiful, the bottle is glass and feels luxurious & the smell is so fresh and calming. I wouldn’t say it is a Winter scent but more of a Spring / Summer one. Its not heady or over powering, its very pretty and feminine. I would say it lasts a good few hours but isn’t the most long wearing scent. I have been wearing it during the day & really like the way it smells both floral & quite woody.

Both the Sorbet Body Lotion & the Shower Gel are very nice too & I took them with me on a weekend break, 50ml was the ideal size for my weekend bag. They were hydrating and left my skin soft & the fresh scent lingered on my skin for quite a while. Using the matching body care to your perfume is also a great way of making the scent more intense & it lasts longer. So this made a great trio.

The Perfume is the standout product in this gift set & is a beautiful fragrance that would appeal to people that not only liked floral scents but also citrus & woody ones too. As this range has notes of Sandalwood, Grapefruit and the Chinese Osmanthus flower, so this is a layered scent.

Roger & Gallet Gift Set

Let me know if you have tried anything from this range. Or if you have any Roger & Gallet product suggestions I’d love to hear them.

Products that are marked with an * have either been sent to me for my consideration or I’ve received at events. I’m under no obligation to review them on my blog. However if I do, the reviews are 100% my own.